Time

a grove of white oaks
standing in a flooded field-
leafless in summer
–
silver on black-
the koi swim
in the moon

tongue already sharp
another shot of bourbon
hones the razors edge
–
rain slicked asphalt-
streetlights glare
in the gutter

the night fog a shroud
fallen from your bare shoulders
draped about your feet
–
a vernal pool-
naiads bathing in
the moonlight

as the grey moon sets
the young sun rises above
a new horizon
–
the church yard-
low night bells
toll the new year

approaching midnight-
hoping for the winds of change
to blow strong this year
–
fading daylight-
the future pinned
to our youth

dawn passes to dusk
giving rise to winter and
the fall of the year
–
on a cold wind-
another year gone
without notice

sitting on the stoop-
strangers walking past me with
judgment in their eyes
–
icy concrete steps-
wrought iron railings
rusted through

a day at the beach-
budding romance captured in
faded polaroids
–
sundown-
walking slowly
hand in hand

eggnog on the stove-
mace and cinnamon dress the
bottom of my glass
–
a glowing hearth-
outside the sun sets
on new year’s day

winter-fat raccoons
take refuge from the snow in
an abandoned crèche
–
christmas eve-
the snow on my roof
again undisturbed